Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-13
BRAKEMEN.
A Brsnch of the Brotherhood Establtshed
in South Butte-History and Objects Of
The O~r1anixati0n.

A Branch of the Brotherhood Established
in South Butte-History and Objects Of
The Organization.
Mr.. s. E. Wilkinson, of Peoria, ILL.,, Grand
Master of the Brotherhood of Railroad
B%rakemen, visited South Butte Sunday,
August 7th, for the purpose of organising a
branch of the order among railroad men
here. On Sunday evening a meeting oil
brakemen, switchmen and other railway
employees was held at Cobban's hall. The
assembly wal addressed by Grand Master
Wilkinson. who explained the objects and
principles hat underlie the foundation oil
the order. At the conclusion of his address
a branch of the order was organized with
eighteen charter members. The election
lowing:
NJ. L. Mustard, Past Master.
T. T. Slattery. Master.
S. L. Russell, Vice Master.
Dick Carter. Secretary.
George W. Wallen, Financier.
w. B. Phillips, Conductor.
J.P. Mccarthy, Warden.
James Carey, Inner Guard.
Joe Malice. Outer Guard.
N. A. Conkey, Chaplain.
George l.. Hay, Alex. T. Carlson and
George S~honeberger, trustees.
The b. of r. B. is an organization yet in
it's youth. 1t habits origin in the Oneonta
Lodge, organized in Oneonta, N. Y, in Sep
TENDER. 1853, and afterwards known as
the Grand Lodge. Applications soon
poured in from all parts asking for charters
as sub ,rdinate lodges. Charters were
granted and branches fourished in many
of the railroad centres throughout the
United States. .
THE FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION
OF the Brotherhood was held at Oneonta,
N. Y, October, 1884, at which thirty-two
delegates were present representing thirty
nine lodges and eight hundred members.
At the close of the second years existence,
delegates from one hundred and sixty-One
branches met in convention at Burlington,
Iowa. The report OF the Grand Secretary
showed a membership of nearly 5000. Dur
ing the year $4,000 had been paid out in
benefit claims, and q surplus of $1O,OOOre-
manned in the treasury. The third year in
the history OF the order vas marked by con
tinued prosperity, the roll call now being an
swered by two hundred and forty-four
lodges. The treasury held a handsome re-
VI 9osVOO WullC SOOsOOO q uCCu
dispersed during the year in benefit claims.
At the beginning of the organization the
beneficiary for death or train disability
was $500. which has now been increased to
$500. For this amount of insurance each
is assessed SIS per year. During three
years. existence they paid bali a million
dollars in benefits. besides caring for the
sick.
THE AIM9 AND
of the Brotherhood are distin city set forth
in the following preamble: ITO unite the
railroad brakemen; to promote their gen.
eral welfare and advance their interests,
social, moral and intellectual: to protect
their families by the exercise of a system
attic be%nevolence, very usefu! in a calling
so hazardous as ours, this fraternity has
been organized"
persuaded that it is for the interests
both OF our members and their employers,
that a good understanding should at all
times exist between the two, it will be the
constant endeavor of this organization to
esua blish mutual confidence and create and
maintain harmonious relations"
The Brotherhood has had, during it's
short existence, reverses ia battle with in
the way of unfaithful officials and undesir-
able members, but through the united
efforts of sincere workers the unworthy
have been weeded out. The cardinal
principle Of the order is sobriety, advocated
everywhere and at all times. The order
has won a firm footing in the United
States. Its mission is one of fraternity
and harmony and it's work is worthy the
ga rnast affo1fion IF all in ifs 20 l1in0